Neither Voter Intimidation nor Election Fraud will be Tolerated

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 22, 2012

Montgomery, Alabama - United States Attorney George L. Beck, Jr. announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Clark Morris will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 6, 2012, general elections. AUSA Morris has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Middle District of Alabama and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election, intimidation and voter fraud in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

United States Attorney Beck said, “All qualified voters should be encouraged to vote, however, someone’s vote should not be diluted because of fraud. Historically, absentee ballot fraud has been an issue in this State. Absentee voters are encouraged to use every legal means to cast their votes, but voter fraud will not be tolerated. My office is committed to aggressively protecting the integrity of the election process and prosecuting persons involved in election fraud. Each citizen must be able to vote without intimidation or discrimination and to have that vote counted.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting election fraud and discrimination at the polls whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.

In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 6, 2012, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Beck stated that AUSA/DEO Clark Morris will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. She can be reached by the public at 334-551-1726.